JP4613636B2 - Print data output device and print data output method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for generating and printing a two-dimensional image from three-dimensional data created using a computer graphics technique.

  In recent years, the progress of so-called computer graphics (CG) technology has made it possible to express an imaginary world created by imagination as if it existed. In addition, using this technology, a game machine has been developed that moves a character expressed as if it is real in a virtual world expressed as if it were real. It is now widely used.

  When handling a three-dimensional object on CG, it is common to use a method of dividing the surface of the object into small planar polygons and expressing them by a collection of these polygons. Thus, the planar polygon used for defining the shape of the object is called “polygon”. Since polygons are flat surfaces, objects expressed using polygons may feel rugged on the surface and may give a sense of incongruity. However, by reducing the size of the polygons, these problems can be prevented from becoming a problem. Can be improved. Of course, if the size of the polygon is reduced, the number of polygons constituting the object increases, so that it is difficult to display an image quickly. Therefore, the size of the polygon is determined based on the balance between the requirement for expressing an object as if it were an actual object and the display speed of the image.

  In a game machine using CG technology, the demand for image display speed is even greater. That is, in the game machine, the character must be moved promptly in response to the operation of the person who performs the game. For this purpose, it is necessary to display the image quickly. On the other hand, the character often moves during the game, and the rugged feeling on the surface is inconspicuous. Therefore, in the game machine, the size of the polygon is set with a specific gravity on the display speed of the image rather than expressing the object truly. In addition, various techniques have been developed and proposed in order to display an image quickly while expressing an object expressed by a polygon more realistically (for example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, etc.) ).

JP-A-7-262387 JP-A-8-161510

  However, even if it is expressed as a real object on the screen, it turns out that the object surface is rugged when printed on a medium that can display images more clearly, such as paper media. There was a problem that. If you find out that the surface of the object is rugged in the printed image, you will be worried that even the image displayed on the screen is virtually represented was there.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems in the prior art, and even when an object displayed on a screen is printed on a medium that can be displayed more clearly, such as a paper medium, it is an actual object. The purpose is to provide technology that can be expressed as if.

In order to solve at least a part of the problems described above, the print data output apparatus of the present invention employs the following configuration. That is,
Print data for printing a two-dimensional image of the object from polygon data that divides the surface of the object into a plurality of polygons and expresses the three-dimensional shape of the object by the coordinates of vertices constituting each polygon. A print data output device for generating and outputting,
Image display means for displaying a two-dimensional image of the object on a screen based on the image data generated from the polygon data;
Upon receiving a print command for the two-dimensional image displayed on the screen, the image data or at least one of the polygon data used to generate the image data is acquired, thereby obtaining the two-dimensional image and the object. Precision polygon data generation means for generating precision polygon data expressed using polygons having the same arrangement and smaller than the polygon data;
A gist of the present invention is to include print data output means for reading the generated precision polygon data for each predetermined polygon number and converting it into the image data, and sequentially outputting the obtained image data as the print data.

Further, the print data output method of the present invention corresponding to the above print data output device,
Print data for printing a two-dimensional image of the object from polygon data that divides the surface of the object into a plurality of polygons and expresses the three-dimensional shape of the object by the coordinates of vertices constituting each polygon. A print data output method for generating and outputting,
A first step of displaying a two-dimensional image of the object on a screen based on the image data generated from the polygon data;
Upon receiving a print command for the two-dimensional image displayed on the screen, the image data or at least one of the polygon data used to generate the image data is acquired, thereby obtaining the two-dimensional image and the object. A second step of generating precision polygon data expressed using polygons having the same arrangement and smaller than the polygon data;
The present invention includes a third step of reading out the generated precision polygon data by a predetermined number of polygons and converting the data into the image data, and then sequentially outputting the obtained image data as the print data.

  In the print data output apparatus and print data output method of the present invention, image data is generated from polygon data and a two-dimensional image is displayed on the screen. Upon receiving a print command for the two-dimensional image displayed on the screen, at least one of the image data used to generate the two-dimensional image or the polygon data used to generate the image data is acquired. Then, precise polygon data expressed using polygons having the same arrangement of the two-dimensional image and the object and smaller than the polygon data is generated. If you acquire at least one of the image data of the 2D image displayed on the screen or the polygon data used to generate the image data, the displayed 2D image matches the object's arrangement The precision polygon data to be generated can be generated. For example, precise polygon data may be generated at the same position as the acquired polygon data, or small polygons so that the two-dimensional image by the polygon data of small polygons overlaps the two-dimensional image from which the image data was acquired. The obtained polygon data may be used as the precision polygon data by moving or rotating the object represented by. After the precision polygon data is obtained in this way, this time, the precision polygon data is read by a predetermined number of polygons, converted into image data representing a two-dimensional image, and then the converted image data is sequentially printed. Output as.

  Since the print data obtained in this way is image data generated from small polygons, even when printed on a medium that can display a clear image such as a paper medium, the object surface Therefore, it is possible to obtain a high-quality image such as a photograph of a real object. In addition, since the printed image has the same arrangement of the object as the two-dimensional image displayed on the screen, it may give the impression that the two-dimensional image on the screen is printed as it is. it can. For this reason, the high-quality image obtained by printing gives the impression that it is displayed on the screen as it is, and the effect that the display on the screen looks more realistic than the actual display can be obtained. it can. Further, the print data is sequentially converted and output by a predetermined number of polygons. For this reason, even when the number of polygons of the precision polygon data increases, it is possible to print a high-quality image without being restricted by the memory amount for developing the image data.

  Such a print data output device stores display polygon data, which is polygon data for displaying an object on the screen, and print polygon data composed of polygons smaller than the polygons constituting the display polygon data. In the case of printing a two-dimensional image displayed on the screen, precise polygon data may be generated using printing polygon data as follows. That is, when a print command for a two-dimensional image displayed on the screen is received, at least one of display polygon data or image data generated from the display polygon data is acquired. Then, the polygon data for printing may be aligned using the acquired data and then replaced with the display polygon data to generate the precise polygon data.

  If precise polygon data is generated in this way, polygon data that accurately represents the shape of the object is stored as polygon data for printing, and it is obtained as if an actual object was photographed. A high-quality image such as a photograph can be printed.

  When the display polygon data is replaced with the printing polygon data, the printing polygon data may be replaced after being aligned as follows. That is, for an object in which at least both display polygon data and printing polygon data are stored, at least three coordinate points set at predetermined positions with respect to the object are represented by the display polygon data and It is stored as each reference point of the printing polygon data. Here, as the reference point, a vertex included in any of a plurality of vertices constituting the polygon of the display polygon data and a plurality of vertices constituting the polygon of the printing polygon data can be selected. Alternatively, it is possible to set the reference point at a coordinate value different from these vertices. Next, by moving or rotating the printing polygon data while maintaining the three-dimensional shape of the object, the reference point of the display polygon data and the reference point of the printing polygon data are matched at least on the screen. At this time, it may be confirmed that the three-dimensional coordinates of the reference point on the display polygon data side coincide with the three-dimensional coordinates of the reference point on the printing polygon data side, or these reference points are It may be confirmed that they match on the screen. In this way, the precision polygon data may be generated by replacing the display polygon data with the printing polygon data in a state where the reference points of the two polygon data are matched.

  If the display polygon data is replaced with the printing polygon data after matching the reference points in this way, the image based on the printing polygon data can be accurately aligned with the image based on the display polygon data. The arrangement of the objects becomes the same as the display on the screen, and it is possible to print an image as if the display on the screen was printed as it was.

  Further, in the above-described print data output apparatus, instead of generating the precision polygon data from the printing polygon data stored in advance, the precision polygon data may be generated from the polygon data used for displaying the image. . That is, when a print command for a two-dimensional image displayed on the screen is received, polygon data used to generate the image data of the two-dimensional image is acquired, and the polygons constituting the polygon data are converted into a plurality of polygons. It is also possible to generate precision polygon data by dividing into two.

  By doing so, it is not necessary to store the printing polygon data in advance, so that the storage capacity can be saved. Further, since the polygon data constituting the polygon data is divided from the polygon data for screen display to generate the precision polygon data, the precision polygon data is located at the same position as the polygon data for screen display. Will be generated. For this reason, it is not necessary to align the polygon data for printing, and the process for printing the display on the screen can be simplified.

  Alternatively, when a print command for a two-dimensional image displayed on the screen is received, the image data of the two-dimensional image is acquired, and the polygon included in the two-dimensional image is divided into a plurality of polygons, thereby obtaining precise polygon data. It is good also as producing | generating.

  Even in this case, it is not necessary to store the printing polygon data in advance, so that the storage capacity can be saved. In addition, since the precise polygon data is generated by acquiring the image data of the two-dimensional image displayed on the screen and dividing the polygon included in the two-dimensional image, it is necessary to align the precise polygon data. Therefore, the process of printing the screen display can be simplified.

  In addition, in the various print data output devices described above, print data may be output as follows. That is, first, the precision polygon data is read by a predetermined number of polygons and converted into image data. The converted image data is sequentially output as print data. At this time, not only the image data for the newly read polygon is output, but also the already output image data for at least a portion adjacent to the image data for the newly read polygon in the already output image data. The data may be output as print data again.

  In this way, even if polygon data including a large number of polygons is divided into a predetermined number of polygons, and the image data is output in multiple times, the image data to be output each time is the same as the previously output image data. On the other hand, the image data of the adjacent part is included redundantly. Therefore, if such image data is received as print data and images are sequentially printed, overlapping portions are printed in two portions, so that the joints between the printed portions become conspicuous every time. This can be avoided.

Furthermore, the present invention can be realized using a computer by causing a computer to read a program for realizing the above-described print data output method. Therefore, the present invention can be grasped as the following program or a recording medium on which the program is recorded. That is, the program of the present invention corresponding to the print data output method described above is
Print data for printing a two-dimensional image of the object from polygon data that divides the surface of the object into a plurality of polygons and expresses the three-dimensional shape of the object by the coordinates of vertices constituting each polygon. A program for realizing a method of generating and outputting using a computer,
A first function for displaying a two-dimensional image of the object on a screen based on the image data generated from the polygon data;
Upon receiving a print command for the two-dimensional image displayed on the screen, the image data or at least one of the polygon data used to generate the image data is acquired, thereby obtaining the two-dimensional image and the object. A second function for generating precise polygon data expressed using polygons having the same arrangement and smaller than the polygon data;
The gist of the present invention is to realize a third function of reading the generated precision polygon data by a predetermined number of polygons and converting it into the image data, and then sequentially outputting the obtained image data as the print data. .

The recording medium of the present invention corresponding to the above program is
Print data for printing a two-dimensional image of the object from polygon data that divides the surface of the object into a plurality of polygons and expresses the three-dimensional shape of the object by the coordinates of vertices constituting each polygon. A recording medium in which a program to be generated and output is recorded so as to be readable by a computer,
A first function for displaying a two-dimensional image of the object on a screen based on the image data generated from the polygon data;
Upon receiving a print command for the two-dimensional image displayed on the screen, the image data or at least one of the polygon data used to generate the image data is acquired, thereby obtaining the two-dimensional image and the object. A second function for generating precise polygon data expressed using polygons having the same arrangement and smaller than the polygon data;
A program that stores a program that realizes a third function of reading the generated precision polygon data for each predetermined number of polygons and converting the image data to the image data, and sequentially outputting the obtained image data as the print data; It is a summary.

  If such a program or a program recorded on a recording medium is read into a computer and the above-described various functions are realized using the computer, a two-dimensional image displayed on the screen is photographed as if a real object was photographed. It is possible to output as a high quality image.

Below, in order to demonstrate the effect | action and effect of this invention more clearly, embodiment of this invention is described in the following orders.
A. Device configuration :
A-1. Game console configuration:
A-2. Color printer configuration:
B. Game screen display overview:
C. First Example:
C-1. Image printing process:
C-2. Print data output processing:
C-3. Printing process:
C-4. First modification:
C-5. Second modification:
D. Second embodiment:

A. Device configuration :
A-1. Game console configuration:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a game machine 100 including an image data generation device according to the present embodiment. A game machine 100 according to the present embodiment has a main memory 110, a coordinate converter (hereinafter referred to as GTE) 112, a frame buffer 114, an image processor (hereinafter referred to as GPU) 116, with a CPU 101 as a center. A ROM 108, a driver 106, a communication control unit 103, and the like are configured so as to be able to exchange data with each other via a bus. The game machine 100 is connected with a controller 102 for operating the game machine 100. Further, a color printer 200 is also connected to the game machine 100 of the present embodiment, so that a screen during the game can be output to the color printer 200.

  The CPU 101 is a central processing unit that executes so-called arithmetic operations and logical operations, and controls the entire game machine 100. The ROM 108 is a read-only memory, and stores various programs including a program (boot program) that is first executed by the CPU 101 after the game machine 100 is powered on. The main memory 110 is a memory from which data can be read and written, and is used as a temporary storage area when the CPU 101 executes arithmetic operations and logical operations. Under the control of the CPU 101, the GTE 112 executes operations for moving and rotating the geometric shape in a three-dimensional space at high speed while accessing the main memory 110. In response to a command from the CPU 101, the GPU 116 executes a process for generating a screen to be displayed on the monitor 150 at a high speed. The frame buffer 114 is a dedicated memory used by the GPU 116 to generate a screen displayed on the monitor 150. The GPU 116 displays the screen during the game by reading out the screen data generated on the frame buffer 114 and outputting it to the monitor 150. In addition, when printing a screen during a game, data generated on the frame buffer 114 is supplied to the color printer 200 via the GPU 116, so that an image during the game is printed.

  A program for executing the game and various data are stored in a storage disk 105 such as a so-called compact disk or digital video disk. When these storage disks 105 are set in the game machine 100, the program and data stored in the storage disk 105 are read out by the driver 106 and temporarily stored in the main memory 110. When the operation content of the controller 102 is input to the CPU 101 via the communication control unit 103, the CPU 101 reads out the program stored in the main memory 110 and executes a predetermined process, thereby executing the game. The

A-2. Color printer configuration:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the color printer 200 connected to the game machine 100 according to the present embodiment. The color printer 200 is an ink jet printer capable of forming dots of four color inks of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Of course, in addition to these four colors of ink, a total of six ink dots can be formed including cyan (light cyan) ink with low dye or pigment concentration and magenta (light magenta) ink with low dye or pigment concentration. An ink jet printer can also be used. In the following, cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, black ink, light cyan ink, and light magenta ink are abbreviated as C ink, M ink, Y ink, K ink, LC ink, and LM ink, respectively. There shall be.

  As shown in the figure, the color printer 200 drives a print head 241 mounted on a carriage 240 to eject ink and form dots, and the carriage 240 is reciprocated in the axial direction of a platen 236 by a carriage motor 230. A mechanism for transporting the printing paper P by the paper feed motor 235, a control circuit 260 for controlling dot formation, carriage 240 movement, and printing paper transportation.

  An ink cartridge 242 that stores K ink and an ink cartridge 243 that stores various inks of C ink, M ink, and Y ink are mounted on the carriage 240. When the ink cartridges 242 and 243 are mounted on the carriage 240, each ink in the cartridge is supplied to ink discharge heads 244 to 247 for each color provided on the lower surface of the print head 241 through an introduction pipe (not shown).

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of the inkjet nozzles Nz in the ink ejection heads 244 to 247. As shown in the figure, on the bottom surface of the ink ejection head, four sets of nozzle rows for ejecting ink of each color of C, M, Y, and K are formed, and 48 nozzles Nz per set of nozzle rows. Are arranged at a constant nozzle pitch k.

  The control circuit 260 is configured by connecting a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a PIF (peripheral device interface), and the like with a bus. The control circuit 260 controls the main scanning operation and the sub-scanning operation of the carriage 240 by controlling the operations of the carriage motor 230 and the paper feed motor 235, and appropriately controls each nozzle based on print data supplied from the outside. Control to eject ink droplets at a proper timing. Thus, the color printer 200 can print a color image by forming ink dots of respective colors at appropriate positions on the print medium under the control of the control circuit 260.

  Further, if the drive signal waveform supplied to the nozzles for ejecting ink droplets is controlled, the size of the ejected ink droplets can be changed to form ink dots having different sizes. If the size of the ink dots can be controlled in this way, it is possible to print higher quality images by using different ink dots depending on the area of the image to be printed. It becomes.

  Various methods can be applied to the method of ejecting ink droplets from the ink ejection heads of the respective colors. That is, a method of ejecting ink using a piezoelectric element, a method of ejecting ink droplets by generating bubbles in the ink passage with a heater arranged in the ink passage, and the like can be used. Also, instead of ejecting ink, use a method that uses ink transfer to form ink dots on printing paper using a phenomenon such as thermal transfer, or a method that uses static electricity to attach toner powder of each color onto the print medium. It is also possible to do.

  The color printer 200 having the above hardware configuration drives the carriage motor 230 to move the ink ejection heads 244 to 247 of the respective colors in the main scanning direction with respect to the printing paper P, and also feeds the paper. By driving 235, the printing paper P is moved in the sub-scanning direction. The control circuit 260 drives the nozzles at appropriate timing to eject ink droplets in synchronization with the main scanning and sub-scanning movements of the carriage 240, so that the color printer 200 prints a color image on the printing paper. It is possible.

B. Game screen display overview:
In the game machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the game progresses by operating a main character in a virtual three-dimensional space set as a game stage. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a screen during a game is displayed on the monitor 150. In the illustrated screen, an imaginary planet surface is displayed, and various structures are virtually displayed on the surface of the planet. A game is played by proceeding in such a game stage while maneuvering a flying boat as a main character.

  Although the screen of the monitor 150 can only express a two-dimensional shape, inside the game machine 100, the planet surface, flying boat, various buildings, etc. are expressed as objects with a three-dimensional shape. Yes. Thus, an object handled as having a three-dimensional shape inside the game machine 100 will be referred to as an “object” in this specification. In the screen illustrated in FIG. 4, the flying boat ob1, which is displayed largely in the center of the screen, the planet surface ob2, the dome-shaped building ob3, the two pyramid-shaped buildings ob11, ob12 which are visible in the distance, The six flying disks ob4 to ob9 that fly on the surface of the planet are objects, and for these, data representing the three-dimensional shape of the surface of the object is stored. For this reason, if the positional relationship of another object (for example, a building, a flying disk, etc.) changes with respect to flying boat ob1 by operating flying boat ob1 which is a main character, along with this, on monitor 150 The appearance of the object at will also change. As a result, objects such as the flying boat ob1 and the planetary surface ob2 can be displayed on the monitor 150 as if they existed even though they were created by imagination. ing. Further, as will be described in detail later, in the game machine 100 of the present embodiment, by printing the screen displayed on the monitor 150, it is possible to print an image as if it was taken with a photograph. Yes.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, the sky part of the planet and the satellite floating in the sky are not objects but a two-dimensional image displayed on the monitor 150 as it is. Accordingly, even if the flying boat ob1 is operated, the appearance on the monitor 150 does not change. This is very far away from the movement range of the flying boat ob1, which is the main character of the game. It depends. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the area where the two-dimensional image is displayed as it is on the screen of the monitor 150 with hatching. As described above, in the game machine 100 according to the present embodiment, a two-dimensional image can be inserted and displayed in a part of the screen displayed on the monitor 150.

  Next, a method in which the game machine 100 handles an object as an object with a three-dimensional shape will be described. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the shape of the flying boat ob1, which is the main character. The left side of the figure shows a state where the flying boat ob1 is seen obliquely from the rear, and the right side of the figure shows the state of the flying boat ob1 from a diagonally forward direction. As shown in the figure, the flying boat ob1 is configured with a smooth curved surface at most of its surface. Inside the game machine 100, an object having such a three-dimensional curved surface is expressed using a plane polygon. That is, a three-dimensional curved surface is divided into fine planar polygons and is approximately expressed by these planar polygons.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a state in which the shape of the main character flying boat ob1 is expressed by a fine planar polygon. In this way, if the object is divided into fine polygons, an object shape having a three-dimensional curved surface can be expressed by a planar polygon. Such planar polygons are called “polygons”. In the game machine 100 according to the present embodiment, all objects are expressed as a collection of polygons, and the shape of the object is expressed by the three-dimensional coordinate values of the vertices constituting the polygon. In this specification, data representing the shape of an object by the coordinates of the vertices of a polygon is referred to as “polygon data”. In the game machine 100 of this embodiment, polygon data of each object is managed by a table called an object table.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing an object table used for managing polygon data of each object in the game machine 100 of this embodiment. As shown in the drawing, in the object table, an object number for identifying each object, a start address of the main memory 110 storing polygon data indicating the shape of the object, and the number of polygons constituting the object Is stored. In the object table, such a record that sets the object number, the start address of the polygon data, and the number of polygons as one set is set for the number of objects.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of polygon data indicating the shape of the object. As shown in the figure, the polygon data includes polygon serial numbers, XYZ coordinate values of vertices constituting each polygon, texture numbers assigned to the polygons, XYZ coordinate values of reference points set for the object, etc. It is composed of Among these, the polygon number, vertex coordinates, and texture number are set for each polygon, while the XYZ coordinate values of the reference points are set for the object.

  The number of vertex coordinates set for each polygon is set according to the shape of the polygon. For example, if the polygon is a triangle, it is composed of three vertices, so three vertex coordinates are set for the polygon. Similarly, if the polygon is a quadrangle, four vertex coordinates are set. In this embodiment, all objects are composed of triangular polygons, and therefore, three vertex coordinates are set for each polygon.

  Further, simply speaking, the texture number can be considered as a number indicating the color to be filled in the polygon. For example, if the surface of the object is red, all the polygons constituting the object may be red. In this case, a number indicating red is designated as the texture number of the polygon. However, not only the color but also various metal surfaces such as aluminum and brass, a transparent surface such as glass, and a surface such as a bark can be designated as the texture number. The texture number is a number that designates the surface state to be given to the polygon in this way.

  On the other hand, the reference point set for the object is an XYZ coordinate value used to represent the position and orientation of the object in the three-dimensional space. In the game machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the screen of the monitor 150 displayed during the game can be printed as a clear image like a photograph, which will be described in detail later. By using the information on the position and orientation of the object, such a clear image can be printed. For this reason, a reference point is set in the object of this embodiment in order to specify in which position in the three-dimensional space the object is located and in which direction it is directed. For the flying boat (object number ob1) shown in FIG. 7, a total of three reference points, reference point P1 provided at the head of the fuselage and reference points P2 and P3 provided at the rear ends of the left and right tails, respectively. Is provided. Thus, if at least three reference points are provided, the position and orientation of the object in the three-dimensional space can be specified. Of course, the number of reference points is not limited to three, and a larger number of reference points may be provided. In the polygon data shown in FIG. 9, XYZ coordinate values of these reference points are set. The reference point does not necessarily have to be provided for all objects. This point will be described in detail later.

  As described above, in the gaming machine 100 of this embodiment, object numbers are assigned to all objects, and the surface shape of the objects is represented by polygon data indicating the vertex coordinates of the polygons. Then, if the head address of the corresponding polygon data is obtained by subtracting the object table from the object number, the three-dimensional shape of the object is represented by reading the data written after the corresponding address in the main memory 110. It is possible to acquire the vertex coordinates. Image data to be displayed on the monitor 150 of the game machine 100 is generated by subjecting the polygon data indicating the three-dimensional shape acquired in this way to processing described later.

  In the object table illustrated in FIG. 8, only two items of the top address of the polygon data and the number of polygons constituting the object are set in association with the object number, but other items are also set. It's also good. For example, the object number includes the type of polygon that constitutes the object, that is, data indicating how many polygons the polygon is, whether the polygon is provided with a reference point, and further data indicating the number of reference points. It is also possible to set in association with each other.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of processing in which the game machine 100 according to the present embodiment displays a screen during the game on the monitor 150. Such a process is a process executed mainly by the CPU 101 while the main memory 110, the GTE 112, the frame buffer 114, the GPU 116, and the like cooperate. Hereinafter, it demonstrates according to a flowchart.

  When the game screen display process is started, the CPU 101 determines whether or not there is an input from the controller 102 (step S10). As described above, during the game, since the operation on the game machine 100 is exclusively performed by the controller 102, it is first determined whether or not there has been an operation input from the controller 102. If there is no input (step S10: no), the image data stored in the frame buffer 114 is output to the monitor 150, and a process of updating the display of the screen (screen update process) is performed (step S50). ). Image data to be displayed on the monitor 150 is generated and stored in the frame buffer 114. The contents of the process for generating image data and storing it in the frame buffer 114 and the screen update process for outputting the image data stored in the frame buffer 114 to the monitor 150 will be described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is an input from the controller 102 (step S10: yes), a series of processing described later is performed in order to reflect the content of the operation by the controller 102 on the screen of the monitor 150.

  When an input from the controller 102 is detected, a process of moving the object operated by the controller 102 in a three-dimensional space set as a game stage in a distance and a direction according to the operation (step S20). ). As an example, a case where the operation by the controller 102 is to advance the flying boat ob1 as the main character will be described. As described above, the flying boat ob1 is represented by a plurality of polygons in the game machine 100 (see FIG. 7), and the vertex coordinates of each polygon are set in polygon data (see FIG. 9). Also, the start address of the memory area in which the polygon data is stored can be obtained by referring to the object table.

  Therefore, when the flying boat ob1, which is the main character, is moved forward, first, the head address of the polygon data corresponding to the flying boat (object number ob1) is obtained by referring to the object table. Next, by reading the polygon data stored in the memory area starting from the acquired address on the main memory 110, the vertex coordinates constituting each polygon are acquired. The vertex coordinates thus obtained are coordinates representing the current position of the flying boat ob1 in the three-dimensional space set as a game stage.

  This point will be described with some supplementary explanation. The storage disk 105 stores initial values of polygon data for each object. At the start of the game, initial polygon data is read from the storage disk 105 and stored in the main memory 110, and the head address value storing the polygon data is set in the object table. Then, when the object moves, rotates, or deforms with the progress of the game, the content of the polygon data stored in the main memory 110 is updated by the processing described later. Therefore, if the start address is obtained by referring to the object table, the current vertex coordinates of each object can be read out.

  Here, since the controller 102 is operated so that the flying boat ob1 moves forward, in S20 of the game screen display process shown in FIG. 10, the current flying boat ob1 is referred to by referring to the object table. Polygon data indicating the position is acquired from the main memory 110. Next, the direction and amount of movement of the flying boat ob1 in the three-dimensional space are determined from the operation amount of the controller 102, and the coordinate value of the flying boat ob1 after movement is calculated. Such calculation is executed at high speed by the GTE 112 under the control of the CPU 101. Specifically, when the CPU 101 determines the moving direction and moving amount of the flying boat ob1, the CPU 101 supplies it to the GTE 112 together with the value of the head address of the polygon data. The GTE 112 reads the polygon data of the flying boat ob1 based on the supplied leading address, and then performs coordinate conversion on the vertex coordinates of this polygon data to calculate the vertex coordinates after movement. The polygon data in the main memory 110 is updated with the converted vertex coordinates obtained in this way. Although the case where the flying boat ob1 as the main character is moved forward has been described above, when another object is operated by the controller 102, the same processing is executed for the operated object. As a result, the polygon data of each object stored in the main memory 110 always stores the latest coordinate value of the object.

  When the operation of the controller 102 is reflected in the object position in this way, a process (rendering process) for generating two-dimensional image data from the polygon data of each object is started (step S30). In the rendering process, a two-dimensional image is generated from the three-dimensional object by performing a process of projecting the three-dimensional object represented by the polygon data onto a plane corresponding to the screen of the monitor 150. To do.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the rendering process. FIG. 11 shows a state where a two-dimensional image is generated by rendering a dice-shaped object. In the rendering process, first, a viewpoint Q for observing the object is set, and then a projection plane R corresponding to the screen of the monitor 150 is set between the object and the viewpoint Q. Then, an arbitrary point selected from the surface of the object and the viewpoint Q are connected by a straight line, and an intersection where the straight line intersects the projection plane R is determined. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, if the point a on the object is selected, the point Ra can be determined as an intersection where the straight line connecting the point a and the viewpoint Q intersects the projection plane R. Here, as is well known, light has a property of traveling straight, so that light that exits from the point a and travels toward the viewpoint Q forms an image at the point Ra on the projection plane R. In other words, the Ra point on the projection plane R can be considered as a point on which the a point on the object is projected. Therefore, if such an operation is performed on all points on the surface of the object, a two-dimensional image of the object projected on the projection plane R can be obtained.

  However, as described above, since the object is represented by a polygon, it is not necessary to perform such an operation for all points on the object surface, and only the vertex coordinates of the polygon need be executed. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, it is assumed that points b and c on the surface of the object are projected onto points Rb and Rc on the projection plane R, respectively. In this case, a triangular polygon having appoints a, b, and c on the object is projected onto a triangular area having appoints Ra, Rb, and Rc on the projection plane R. You can think about it. Further, if the polygon on the object is red, for example, it may be considered that the triangular area where the polygon is projected on the projection plane R is also red. That is, it can be considered that the texture number of the polygon on the object is inherited by the region projected on the projection plane R.

  Further, in the rendering process, so-called hidden surface removal is also performed. Hidden surface erasing is a process of erasing a portion of an object surface that is shaded by another surface. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 11, the polygons having the vertices b, d, and e on the surface of the object are on the back side of the object when viewed from the viewpoint Q, and are entirely behind other surfaces. Therefore, no image is formed on the projection plane R. Therefore, for such a polygon, a projection image is prevented from being displayed on the projection plane R. Depending on the shape of the object and the setting of the viewpoint Q, only a partial area of a certain polygon may be behind the other surface. In such a case, the display of only the shaded portion of the polygon is omitted, and the projection image is displayed only for the shaded portion.

  As described above, in the rendering process, a process of calculating the coordinate value when the vertexes of the polygons constituting the object are projected onto the projection plane R is performed. Such calculation of coordinate values can be performed relatively easily. FIG. 12A is an explanatory diagram showing a calculation formula for obtaining the coordinate value (U, V) on the projection plane R obtained by projecting the coordinate point (X, Y, Z) on the object. Here, α, β, γ, and δ in FIG. 12A are coefficients determined by the distance from the viewpoint Q to the projection plane R or the object. Or, simply, as shown in FIG. 12B, a calculation formula that does not include division can be used. Here, ε, ζ, η, θ, ι, and κ in FIG. 12B are coefficients determined by the distance from the viewpoint Q to the projection plane R or the object, respectively.

  Although detailed description is omitted, in rendering processing, a light source is placed at a preset position in a three-dimensional space, and a process called shading that shades an object surface and a perspective are emphasized. In some cases, the farther part is subjected to processing such as lowering the brightness or blurring the projected image. In the rendering process composed of such a series of processes, the GTE 112 receives a command from the CPU 101, executes a predetermined operation on the polygon data stored in the main memory 110, and uses the obtained result on the memory. This is done by updating the polygon data. When the above processing is performed on all objects appearing on the screen of the monitor 150, the rendering processing shown in step S30 in FIG.

  Following the rendering process described above, the CPU 101 of the game machine 100 starts a drawing process (step S40 in FIG. 10). The drawing process is a process of generating image data in which a gradation value is set for each pixel from the projection image generated by the rendering process. That is, the projection image obtained by the rendering process is expressed in a format using the coordinates of the vertexes of the polygon on which the polygon is projected and the texture number to be assigned to the polygon. On the other hand, image data that can be displayed on the monitor 150 is expressed in a format in which an image is subdivided into fine regions called pixels, and gradation data (usually data representing luminance) is set for each pixel. ing. When one type of luminance data is set for each pixel, the image data is a monochrome image, and when luminance data for each of the RGB colors constituting the three primary colors of light is set, the image data is a color image. Note that it is also possible to represent a color image using gradation data corresponding to lightness and two types of gradation data corresponding to color differences instead of the luminance data of each RGB color. In any case, since the data representing the projection image obtained by the rendering process cannot be displayed on the monitor 150 as it is, the data is converted into a data format that can be displayed on the monitor 150. Such a process is a process called a drawing process. Further, as described above with reference to FIG. 5, when a two-dimensional image is fitted on the screen, the data of the two-dimensional image may be fitted in the drawing process.

  When the drawing process is started, the CPU 101 of the game machine 100 outputs a drawing command to the GPU 116. In response to the drawing command, the GPU 116 generates image data and stores the image data in the frame buffer 114 to perform drawing processing.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing an image to be drawn by a drawing command, that is, a projection image generated by the rendering process described above. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the data structure of a drawing command output from the CPU 101 to the GPU 116 in order to draw such an image. First, a projection image to be drawn will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the projection image to be drawn is a two-dimensional image obtained by projecting the polygon constituting the object onto the projection plane R. In this embodiment, since all objects are configured using triangular polygons, in principle, all polygons are projected on the projection plane R as triangular images. Note that the polygon refers to the planar polygon that forms the object as described above, and the polygon on which the polygon is projected onto the projection plane R is strictly different from the polygon. However, for convenience of explanation below, such a projected image of a polygon is also referred to as a polygon. In particular, when these are distinguished, they may be referred to as “polygons constituting an object” and “polygons constituting a projection image (or polygons of a two-dimensional image)”.

  The projected image shown in FIG. 13 is composed of three polygons, polygon 1, polygon 2, and polygon 3. In addition, all the projected images are composed of triangular polygons. All the polygons constituting the object are composed of triangular polygons. When these triangular polygons are projected onto the projection plane R, the projected images of the triangles are formed. This corresponds to the fact that As described above with reference to FIG. 11, the same texture number as that of the polygon constituting the object is assigned to the polygon constituting the projected image.

  When drawing such a projected image, the CPU 101 outputs a drawing command having a data structure as shown in FIG. As shown in the drawing, the drawing command is a structure in which “CODE”, a texture number, and data having a set of coordinate values of vertices on the projection plane R are set for each polygon constituting the projection image. It has become. Here, “CODE” represents that this command is a drawing command, and is data specifying the shape of a polygon to be drawn. In other words, the polygons that make up the object are not limited to triangles, and polygons such as quadrilaterals and pentagons may be used, and the shape of the polygons that make up the projected image changes accordingly. Even if the polygon of the object is a triangle, the polygon on the projection plane R can be treated as, for example, a quadrilateral polygon when part of the object is behind another polygon. Taking this into consideration, the drawing command of this embodiment allows the polygon shape to be specified for each polygon.

  In the drawing command of this embodiment, a texture number is set after “CODE”. This texture number is the texture number assigned to the polygon constituting the projected image, and in most cases, is the same as the texture number assigned to the polygon constituting the object. Instead of the texture number, it is also possible to set color information (for example, gradation values for each color of R, G, and B) to be given to the polygon.

  Following the texture number, coordinate values on the projection plane R of the vertices constituting the polygon are set. The number of vertex coordinates is determined by “CODE” described above. For example, in “CODE”, when the polygon shape is designated as a triangle, three vertex coordinates are set, and when it is designated as a quadrilateral polygon, four vertex coordinates are set. The rendering command has a data structure in which such a set of “CODE”, texture number, and vertex coordinates is set for each polygon constituting the projection image.

  In the drawing command illustrated in FIG. 14, three projections including “CODE”, texture number, and vertex coordinates correspond to the fact that the projection image to be drawn is composed of three polygons 1 to 3. A set of data is set. That is, for polygon 1, the coordinate values of the three vertices A, B, and C constituting polygon 1 are set following “CODE” and the texture number. For polygon 2, the coordinate values of three vertices B, C, and D constituting polygon 2 are set following “CODE” and the texture number. For polygon 3, “CODE” and the texture number are set. Thus, the coordinate values of the three vertices C, D, and E constituting the polygon 3 are set. The vertex coordinates and texture numbers of these polygons are generated by the GTE 112 during the rendering process described above, and are then stored in the main memory 110. The CPU 101 reads out these data for all objects to be displayed on the screen of the monitor 150 from the data stored in the main memory 110, thereby giving a drawing command having a data structure as shown in FIG. Generate and supply to the GPU 116.

  Upon receiving such a drawing command, the GPU 116 expands the inside of the polygon connecting the vertices into a two-dimensional image filled with the color or pattern indicated by the texture number. Then, the obtained two-dimensional image is converted into data in an expression format in which gradation data is set for each pixel constituting the image, and stored in the frame buffer 114 as image data. As a result, the projection image expressed by the vertex coordinates of the polygon on the projection plane R and the texture number of the polygon is converted into image data in a data format that can be displayed on the monitor 150 and stored in the frame buffer 114. That's right. In the game machine 100 according to the present embodiment, it is assumed that image data in which gradation values of R, G, and B colors are set for each pixel is generated. When the above processing is performed on all the projected images that appear on the screen of the monitor 150, the drawing processing shown in step S40 in FIG.

  When the drawing process ends, this time, the image data obtained on the frame buffer 114 is output to the monitor 150, and the process of updating the screen of the monitor 150 is performed (step S50). That is, image data is read from the frame buffer 114 and supplied to the monitor 150 as a video signal in accordance with the specifications of the monitor 150 such as the screen resolution and the scanning method such as interlace or non-interlace. By doing so, the two-dimensional image developed in the frame buffer 114 can be displayed on the screen of the monitor 150.

  Further, if the display on the monitor 150 is updated at least 24 times per second, an image as if it is moving continuously can be displayed due to the afterimage phenomenon of the human retina. In the game machine 100 of this embodiment, the game screen display process shown in FIG. 10 is executed at a frequency of about 30 times per second to update the display of the screen, so that the flying boat ob1 appears on the screen of the monitor 150. It is possible to display as if various objects such as are moving continuously. In order to enable such high-speed processing, the gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment can perform GTE 112 capable of executing various calculations including coordinate conversion at high speed, and a large amount of data used for the calculations at high speed. A readable / writable main memory 110, a GPU 116 that quickly generates image data based on a drawing command received from the CPU 101, and a frame buffer 114 that can store the generated image data at high speed and output it to the monitor 150 at high speed. Etc. are installed.

  However, if the number of polygons to be processed becomes too large, it is difficult to execute the game screen display process shown in FIG. 10 at a frequency of about 30 times per second. Therefore, various objects such as the flying boat ob1 are composed of slightly larger polygons so that the number of polygons does not increase too much. As described above, since the polygon is a planar polygon, when the polygon becomes large, there is an adverse effect that the surface of the object becomes rugged. Fortunately, however, objects are often moving on the game screen, and in addition, the monitor 150 does not have a high drawing power like a photograph, so the surface of the object is noticeable. Therefore, there is no adverse effect such as impairing the realism of the game.

  However, this situation may change when the screen of the monitor 150 is printed by the printing apparatus. In other words, in addition to still images being obtained by printing, recent printing apparatuses have high drawing power approaching that of photographs, so the surface of an object is rugged when looking at printed images. May be clearly understood. Then, after seeing such a printed image, even the object displayed on the monitor 150 during the game will appear to be rugged, and the realism of the game will be greatly impaired. The drowning that occurs is also caused. On the other hand, in the game machine 100 according to the present embodiment, even when the screen of the monitor 150 is output by the printing apparatus, it is possible to output a clear image as if the real thing was photographed. Yes. In the following, the processing that enables this will be described in detail.

C. First Example:
C-1. Image printing process:
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of image printing processing performed by the game machine 100 according to the first embodiment. The image printing process will be described below according to the flowchart.

  When detecting that a predetermined print button provided on the controller 102 has been pressed, the CPU 101 of the game machine 100 generates an interrupt and starts the image printing process shown in FIG. Note that when an interrupt is generated, the processing performed by the CPU 101 is temporarily interrupted, and accordingly, the progress of the game is also interrupted until the image printing process is terminated.

  When the image printing process is started, first, the CPU 101 acquires the original polygon data (display polygon data) of the image displayed on the monitor 150 when the print button of the controller 102 is pressed ( Step S100). That is, as described above, the image displayed on the monitor 150 is an image obtained by projecting the object onto the projection plane R, and the coordinate values of the vertices of the polygons constituting the object are polygon data, and the main memory 110 Is remembered. Therefore, in step S100, display polygon data used to display the object is acquired for each object displayed on the monitor 150 when the print button of the controller 102 is pressed.

  Next, a process for setting image capturing conditions is started (step S102). That is, in the game machine 100 according to the present embodiment, not only the screen displayed on the monitor 150 is printed by the color printer 200 but also a print image is configured as if the camera was operated to take a picture. It is also possible. In step S102, processing for setting shooting conditions for the game machine 100 is performed for that purpose. The shooting conditions can be set while the operator of the game machine 100 confirms the screen displayed on the monitor 150.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a screen for setting image capturing conditions is displayed on the monitor 150. As shown in the figure, a monitor area 151 for displaying the screen displayed on the monitor 150 when the print button is pressed is provided in the approximate center of the screen for setting the shooting conditions. Further, around the monitor area 151, buttons for setting a focal length, a diaphragm, a position for focusing, and the like are provided.

  The focal length is set by selecting the focal length from the telephoto to the wide angle by moving the knob 153 provided on the right side of the monitor area 151 up and down. The aperture is set by selecting a diaphragm value from the open side to the diaphragm side by moving a knob 154 provided at the lower right of the monitor area 151 up and down. Also, the focus position is set by moving the cursor 152 displayed in the monitor area 151 to the position where the focus is desired while operating the cross cursor of the controller 102, and then selecting “focus position setting” on the setting screen. It can be set by pressing the button labeled "". Since the effect due to the set shooting condition is reflected in the image displayed in the monitor area 151, the shooting condition can be set while checking the effect. When the desired shooting condition is determined, the set shooting condition can be confirmed by pressing a button labeled “OK” on the setting screen. In step S102 of the image printing process shown in FIG. 15, processing for setting various shooting conditions is performed as described above.

  After setting the shooting conditions, the CPU 101 of the game machine 100 starts processing for setting printing conditions (step S104). This print condition setting process can also be performed by the operator of the game machine 100 while checking the screen displayed on the monitor 150, similarly to the shooting condition setting process in step S102 described above.

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a screen for setting image printing conditions is displayed on the monitor 150. As shown in the drawing, in the game machine 100 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to set three items of a paper size used for printing, a paper type, and a printing mode at the time of printing as printing conditions. Here, the print mode is a mode for setting whether to give priority to the print speed or the print image quality when performing printing. That is, in general, the printing speed and the print image quality are in a contradictory relationship, and the image quality tends to deteriorate when attempting to print quickly, and the print time tends to become longer when attempting to print with high image quality. Therefore, if you want to print particularly quickly, or especially when you want to print with high image quality, you can print as you want by setting the print mode to “Fast” or “Pretty” respectively. is there.

  The paper size and paper type are set by operating the cross cursor of the controller 102 and selecting the paper size using the cursor 152 displayed on the screen. Also, the print mode can be set by moving the knob 158 displayed on the screen from “clean” to “fast”. In addition to these conditions, items such as the number of prints and whether or not to perform so-called borderless printing may be settable. When the printing conditions are set as described above, the set printing conditions are determined by pressing a button labeled “OK” on the setting screen.

  As described above, when the shooting conditions and printing conditions for the screen displayed on the monitor 150 are set, it is determined whether printing polygon data is stored (step S106). Here, the printing polygon data is data representing the three-dimensional shape of the object using a polygon smaller than the polygon used in the game screen display process described above.

  FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing how the three-dimensional shape of the flying boat ob1 as the main character is expressed using small polygons. Comparing FIG. 7 with FIG. 18, it can be seen that a smaller polygon is used for printing polygon data than for polygon data used in the game screen display process. In addition, it can be seen that the portion of the object surface having a larger curvature (smaller curvature radius) is composed of smaller polygons. In this way, if a small polygon is used, the shape of the object can be expressed more accurately, and a rugged impression is not given to the viewer even in a portion where the curvature of the surface is large.

  The print polygon data also includes a plurality of (three in this embodiment) reference points, as in the case of normal polygon data (display polygon data) used for display of the screen shown in FIGS. Is provided. These reference points are provided at the same position in the positional relationship with respect to the object regardless of whether the data is printing polygon data or display polygon data. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, in the display polygon data of the flying boat ob1, reference points P1, P2, and P3 are provided at the front end of the aircraft and the rear ends of the left and right tails, respectively. Similarly, in the polygon data for printing of the flying boat ob1, reference points P1, P2, and P3 are provided at the front end of the body and the rear ends of the left and right tails, respectively. As described above, for an object in which printing polygon data is present, a reference point is provided at the same position with respect to the object for each of display polygon data and printing polygon data. In other words, for an object for which no printing polygon data exists, it is not always necessary to set a reference point in the object data.

  Whether or not such printing polygon data exists can be determined by referring to a table (printing polygon data table) in which the presence or absence of printing polygon data is preset. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a table referred to for determining the presence or absence of printing polygon data. As shown in the drawing, the object number and the number of polygons of an object for which printing polygon data exists are set in the printing polygon data table. Therefore, if the object number is set with reference to the printing polygon data table, it can be determined that the printing polygon data exists for the object. Conversely, if no object number is set in the printing polygon data table, it can be determined that there is no printing polygon data for the object.

  In the object table described above with reference to FIG. 8, the unique object number and the top address of the polygon data are set for all the objects. On the other hand, in the printing polygon data table, the same start address may be set for a plurality of object numbers. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, each of the six objects ob4 to ob9 represents a flying disk, and these flying disks have the same shape. In such a case, the same starting address and the same number of polygons are set in the printing polygon data table for the six objects having the object numbers ob4 to ob9 as shown in FIG. As described above, the reason why the same start address and number of polygons may be set for different object numbers in the printing polygon data table will be described later.

  For the object for which the printing polygon data is determined to exist in step S106 in FIG. 15, the printing polygon data is read with reference to the printing polygon data table shown in FIG. 19 (step S108). The read printing polygon data is stored at successive addresses in the main memory 110. Next, after matching the reference point of the display polygon data previously acquired in step S100 with the reference point of the read printing polygon data, a process of replacing the display polygon data with the printing polygon data is performed. This is performed (step S110). Hereinafter, the contents of this process will be described in detail. It is assumed that the read printing polygon data is stored in a continuous area on the main memory 110 after the address value Appd.

  First, the coordinate of the reference point of the printing polygon data is obtained by performing coordinate conversion for moving or rotating the object on the read printing polygon data, so that the reference of the display polygon data acquired in step S100 is obtained. Match the coordinates of the point. Such coordinate conversion is not performed on the data indicated by the head address of the printing polygon data table shown in FIG. 19, but this printing polygon data is read out and thereafter after the address Appd of the main memory 110. Execute on the expanded data. When the coordinates of the reference point of the printing polygon data coincide with the coordinates of the reference point of the display polygon data, the start address Appd and the memory area in the main memory 110 where the printing polygon data is stored are stored. The start address and the number of polygons in the object table described above are rewritten using the number of polygons constituting the printing polygon data with reference to FIG. If the start address and the number of polygons set in the object table are rewritten in this way, in the subsequent rendering processing and drawing processing, not the display polygon data but the printing polygon data is referred to. Become. In step S110 of FIG. 15, the process of replacing the display polygon data with the print polygon data is specifically a print polygon in which the start address and the number of polygons set in the object table are aligned as described above. This is the process of rewriting the data to the top address and the number of polygons.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 19, the reason why the same start address and number of polygons may be set for different object numbers in the printing polygon data table will be described. As described above, for an object for which printing polygon data exists, after printing polygon data is read, the printing polygon data is set so that the coordinates of the reference point coincide with the coordinates of the reference point of the display polygon data. Move or rotate. Here, since different objects always have different three-dimensional coordinate values, even if the printing polygon data is read from the same address value, it becomes different printing polygon data after movement or rotation. Therefore, if such an operation is performed in a different area of the main memory 110 for each object, the same data can be used as the original printing polygon data. Therefore, in the printing polygon data table, the same shape is used. For these objects, the same start address and number of polygons are set.

  Note that not all the display polygon data is stored in the display polygon data, so the display polygon data replaced with the print polygon data is only a part of the polygon data. That is, the replaced polygon data is data in which display polygon data and printing polygon data are mixed. Therefore, hereinafter, such polygon data is sometimes referred to as precise polygon data.

  As described above, for an object for which printing polygon data exists, the rendering polygon data is generated after replacing the display polygon data with the printing polygon data to generate precision polygon data (step S112). As described above, rendering processing is processing for generating two-dimensional image data from polygon data of each object. As described above with reference to FIG. 11, this processing can be performed by calculating a projection image of each object on the projection plane R set between the viewpoint Q and each object. Since the rendering process has already been described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, detailed description thereof is omitted here, but the contents set in the shooting condition setting process are the viewpoint Q and the projection plane R in the rendering process. It is reflected in the setting. Further, for an object far away from or near the viewpoint Q, a special operation such as applying a filter that blurs the projected image may be performed according to the aperture setting.

  Similar to the game screen display process described above with reference to FIG. 10, the rendering process is executed by the GTE 112 while referring to the object table under the control of the CPU 101, and the obtained two-dimensional image data is stored in the main memory 110. Is done. Note that the rendering process performed in step S122 in FIG. 15 is performed for the object for which it is determined in step S106 that printing polygon data is present because the object table (see FIG. 8) has been rewritten in subsequent step S110. Rendering processing is executed not for the display polygon data displayed on the monitor 150 when the print button of the controller 102 is pressed, but for the precision polygon data partially replaced with the printing polygon data.

  When the rendering process is finished in this way, this time, the data stored in the main memory 110 is read, and the process of outputting it as print data to the color printer 200 is started (step S200). The print data output process will be described in detail later, but roughly the following process is performed.

  First, the data obtained by the rendering process is data indicating the coordinate values of the vertices of the two-dimensional polygon projected on the projection plane and the texture number to be assigned to the polygon. However, since the color printer 200 receives the data in the format expressed by the gradation data for each pixel, the color printer 200 performs the drawing process in the same manner as the game screen display process described above with reference to FIG. It is necessary to develop the obtained data into data expressed by gradation data for each pixel. The gradation data for each pixel developed in this way is stored in the frame buffer 114 in the same manner as when the screen is displayed.

  Here, as described above, since the display polygon data is replaced with the printing polygon data when the image is printed, the number of polygons is increased. For this reason, due to the memory capacity of the frame buffer 114, all polygon data cannot be expanded at once, and must be divided and expanded multiple times. Therefore, in the print data output process (step S200 in FIG. 15), data obtained by rendering the precision polygon data is first read from the main memory 110 for a predetermined number of polygons, and is subjected to a drawing process. 114. Then, after the obtained data is output as print data to the color printer 200, a predetermined number of polygons are read from the main memory 110 and rendered in the frame buffer 114 again. By repeating such an operation, a process of outputting print data to the color printer 200 is performed while performing a drawing process little by little within the range of memory constraints of the frame buffer 114. Details of the print data output process will be described later.

  When all the print data is output to the color printer 200, the print data output process is terminated and the process returns to the image print process of FIG. Subsequently, in the image printing process, a game return process is performed (step S114). The game return process is a process for ending the image printing process and restarting the game. In other words, as described above, when the print button of the controller 102 is pressed, the CPU 101 of the game machine 100 generates an interrupt and the game in progress is temporarily interrupted as described above. Therefore, prior to the end of the image printing process, the CPU 101 restores the program counter and various data to the state before the game is interrupted, and prepares to restart the game. As described above, the object table setting values are also rewritten in the image printing process for the objects for which precise polygon data exists, and these are also restored to the original setting values in the game return process. Become.

  When the game return process is thus completed (step S114), the image printing process shown in FIG. 15 is terminated. Since various variables and data including the program counter have returned to the state before the game is interrupted, the game can be resumed from the point at which it was interrupted.

C-2. Print data output processing:
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of print data output processing. Such processing is executed by the CPU 101 in the image printing processing described above with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, it demonstrates according to a flowchart.

  When the print data output process is started, first, a process for reading the precise polygon data from the main memory 110 by a predetermined number of polygons is performed (step S202). That is, because of the limitation of the memory capacity of the frame buffer 114, a drawing command cannot be executed for all the polygons included in the precision polygon data. Therefore, in order to execute the drawing command within the allowable range of the memory capacity, Thus, polygon data is read out by a predetermined number.

  FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where data of a predetermined number of polygons are read from the precision polygon data. As described above with reference to FIG. 15, in the rendering process performed prior to the print data output process, polygon data constituting a two-dimensional projection image is generated from polygon data constituting a three-dimensional object. And stored in the main memory 110. A triangle indicated by a broken line in FIG. 21 conceptually represents a polygon constituting a projection image generated by the rendering process. The actual image is represented by smaller polygons, but is represented here using large polygons in order to avoid complicated illustrations.

  Further, in FIG. 21, there are an area composed only of relatively small polygons and an area composed only of relatively large polygons. This corresponds to the fact that part of the image printing process described above is replaced with printing polygon data, and rendering processing is performed on the obtained precision polygon data. In other words, in the drawing, the area composed of only small polygons conceptually represents that the object replaced with the printing polygon data is generated by performing the rendering process. In addition, the area composed only of large polygons conceptually represents that the object represented by the display polygon data is generated by rendering processing.

  In the process of reading polygon data in the print data output process shown in FIG. 20 (step S202), the polygon reading line is set, and the polygon data is read by a predetermined number of polygons while moving the setting position of the reading line. Do. In FIG. 21, polygon reading lines are indicated by thick one-dot chain lines. The polygon reading line is initially set at the upper end portion of the image, and the reading line sequentially moves downward as polygon data reading proceeds. This corresponds to the fact that in the color printer 200 that actually prints an image, the image is printed from the upper end toward the lower end.

  FIG. 21A conceptually shows a state where the polygon reading line is set at the upper end of the image immediately after the print data output process is started. In the process of reading the precision polygon data, polygons that pass through the set reading line are detected and the data of these polygons are read. In the example shown in FIG. 21A, the polygons thus read out are displayed with hatching. For convenience of explanation, each polygon is displayed with a number indicating the order in which the polygons are read. As is clear from the number assigned to the polygon, 14 polygon data are read at the position of the reading line set in FIG.

  Here, there is an upper limit on the number of polygons that can be read. This is because, when a drawing command is executed on the read polygon data, the image data converted into gradation data for each pixel is developed on the frame buffer 114, so that if the number of polygons becomes too large, the frame buffer This is because the image data cannot be expanded due to the memory capacity limitation of 114. Actually, the number of polygons that can be read out is set to a sufficient number of polygons to constitute one screen displayed on the monitor 150 during the game screen display process shown in FIG. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the number of polygons that can be read at one time is “20”.

  When the polygon reading line is set at the position shown in FIG. 21A, the number of polygons to be read is 14, so that it is possible to read data for six more polygons. Therefore, the position of the reading line is moved downward little by little and the polygon data for 20 is read while reading new polygon data. FIG. 21B conceptually shows how the data of 20 polygons are read in this way. That is, when the position of the polygon reading line is gradually lowered from the position shown in FIG. 21A, first, “15”, “16”, “17” in FIG. 21B. The data of the polygon numbered “is read out. When the reading line is further lowered, the polygon data numbered “18” and “19” are read out. Then, when the reading line is lowered to the position shown in FIG. 21B, the data of the “20th” polygon is read out. In addition, the polygon numbered “21” and the polygon numbered “22” exist on the reading line at this time. However, since the number of read polygons has already reached “20”, data reading is not performed for these two polygons. In step S202 of the print data output process shown in FIG. 20, the process of reading out the precision polygon data is performed for each predetermined number of polygons (20 in the example shown in FIG. 21).

  By performing drawing processing on the polygon data read out in this way, the image data developed into gradation data for each pixel is stored in the frame buffer 114 (step S204). Since the details of the drawing process have already been described in detail with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, a process of outputting the image data developed on the frame buffer 114 to the color printer 200 in a raster unit is performed (step S206 in FIG. 20). FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing how the image data on the frame buffer 114 is output in raster units. First, when a drawing process is executed on polygon data that has been read by a predetermined number of polygons, gradation data corresponding to the texture number of the polygon is assigned to the pixels included in each polygon, and is stored in the frame buffer 114. Be expanded. FIG. 22A conceptually shows how image data is developed on the frame buffer 114 in this way. Here, since it is assumed that the polygons indicated by hatching in FIG. 21B have been read out, image data is developed for each pixel in the region where the polygons exist. .

  Next, the developed image data is read out row by row from the uppermost pixel of the image and output to the color printer 200. That is, image data for one column of pixels at the upper end of the image is read out from the hatched area in FIG. 22A and output to the color printer 200. Next, the pixels in the second column from the upper end are output. Image data is read out and output to the color printer 200. Next, the image data of the pixels in the third column from the upper end are read and output. Such a row of pixels is called a raster. Accordingly, the image data developed on the frame buffer 114 is output to the color printer 200 in raster units.

  FIG. 22B is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing how the image data developed on the frame buffer 114 is output in units of rasters. In the figure, the hatched portion is an area where image data can be output in raster units. However, the raster below one column in this area (indicated by a thick broken line in the drawing) includes pixels in which image data is not expanded, and image data cannot be output in units of rasters. Therefore, in step S206 in FIG. 20, until the raster lacking such image data is generated, the image data expanded on the frame buffer 114 is read in units of rasters and is output to the color printer 200 as print data. I do.

  When raster unit image data is output as print data as described above, it is determined whether or not the processing has been completed for all polygons of the precision polygon data subjected to the rendering process (step S208). If polygons that have not yet been processed remain (step S208: no), the process returns to step S202 to newly read a predetermined number of polygons from the precision polygon data stored in the main memory 110. Do it.

  FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which new polygon data is read out from the precision polygon data stored in the main memory 110 in this way. As described above, when reading polygon data, first, a polygon reading line is set. Here, since polygon data is read in the previous process, the process starts from the position of the reading line set at that time. A reading line indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 23 indicates a position where the reading line is finally set in the previous process (that is, a position shown in FIG. 21B).

  Then, a polygon that passes through such a reading line is detected, and polygon data for the detected polygon is read. When the number of read polygons is less than the predetermined number (here, 20), the polygon data for the predetermined number is read while moving the position of the reading line downward. In this way, data about polygons indicated by hatching in FIG. 23 is read from the main memory 110. Next, a rendering process is performed on the polygon data (step S204 in FIG. 20), and the image data developed on the frame buffer 114 is read in raster units and output as print data to the color printer 200 (step S206). Then, it is determined whether or not the processing for all the polygons has been completed (step S208). If unprocessed polygons remain (step S208: no), the process returns to step S202 again to read new polygon data. As a result, this time, polygon data for the polygon indicated by hatching in FIG. 24 is read out.

  In the print data output process of FIG. 20, such a process is repeated until the process for all the polygons is completed. When it is finally determined that the processing for all the polygons has been completed (step S208: yes), the print data output process is terminated, and the process returns to the image printing process shown in FIG.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 15, in the image printing process, when returning from the print data output process, the game return process (step S114 in FIG. 15) is performed to restart the game, and then the interrupted game is restarted. . As a result, the game is resumed from where it was interrupted.

C-3. Printing process:
On the other hand, the color printer 200 prints an image on a print sheet according to the print data supplied from the game machine 100 in this way. Hereinafter, a process in which the color printer 200 receives print data and prints an image will be briefly described. In the following description, it is assumed that the printing process is executed by a CPU mounted on the color printer 200. However, the color printer 200 performs only an interlacing process and a dot forming process, which will be described later, and performs other processes. This may be performed on the game machine 100 side.

  When the printing process shown in FIG. 25 is started, the CPU mounted on the color printer 200 first performs a process of reading the print data output from the game machine 100 (step S300). Next, resolution conversion processing is started (step S302). The resolution conversion process is a process of converting the resolution of the image data developed on the frame buffer 114 and supplied as print data to a resolution (print resolution) at which the color printer 200 actually prints an image. . If the print resolution is higher than the resolution of the image data, the resolution is increased by performing an interpolation operation to generate new image data between the pixels. Conversely, when the resolution of the image data is higher than the print resolution, the resolution is lowered by thinning out the read image data at a certain ratio. In the resolution conversion process, by performing such an operation on the print data supplied from the game machine 100, the resolution of the image data is converted to the print resolution.

  When the resolution of the image data is converted into the print resolution in this way, color conversion processing is performed next time (step S304). With color conversion processing, RGB color image data expressed by a combination of R, G, and B gradation values is converted into image data expressed by a combination of gradation values of each color used for printing. It is processing to do. As described above, the game machine 100 according to the present embodiment generates image data in which gradation values of R, G, and B colors are set for each pixel. As shown in FIG. 4, an image is printed using four colors of inks of C, M, Y, and K. Therefore, a process (color conversion process) is performed for converting image data expressed by RGB colors into data expressed by gradation values of C, M, Y, and K colors.

  The color conversion process can be performed quickly by referring to the color conversion table (LUT). FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing an LUT referred to for color conversion processing. The LUT can be considered as a kind of three-dimensional number table when considered as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 26, a color space is considered by taking an R axis, a G axis, and a B axis as three orthogonal axes. Then, all the RGB image data can always be displayed in association with coordinate points in the color space. From this, if each of the R axis, the G axis, and the B axis is subdivided and a large number of grid points are set in the color space, each grid point can be considered to represent RGB image data. The gradation values of C, M, Y, and K colors corresponding to RGB image data can be associated with each grid point. The LUT is like a three-dimensional number table in which the gradation values of C, M, Y, and K colors are stored in association with the grid points thus provided in the color space. If color conversion processing is performed based on the correspondence between the RGB image data stored in the LUT and the gradation data of each color of C, M, Y, and K, the image data represented by the gradation values of each RGB color is converted. , C, M, Y, and K can be quickly converted to gradation data.

  After performing the color conversion process as described above, the CPU mounted on the color printer 200 starts the halftone process (step S306). Halftone processing is the following processing. The image data obtained by the color conversion process is gradation data that can take a value from gradation value 0 to gradation value 255 for each pixel when the data length is 1 byte. On the other hand, since the color printer 200 displays an image by forming dots, each pixel can take only a state of “forming dots” or “not forming dots”. For this reason, in the color printer 200, instead of changing the gradation value for each pixel, the intermediate gradation is expressed by changing the density of dots formed in a predetermined area. Halftone processing is processing for determining the presence or absence of dot formation for each pixel so that dots are generated at an appropriate density according to the gradation value of the image data.

  Various methods such as an error diffusion method and a dither method can be applied as a method for generating dots with an appropriate density according to the gradation value. The error diffusion method is to determine whether or not dots are formed for a certain pixel so as to diffuse an error in gradation expression generated in that pixel to surrounding pixels and to eliminate the error diffused from the surroundings. This is a method of determining the presence or absence of dot formation for each pixel. The ratio of diffusing the generated error to surrounding pixels is set in advance in the error diffusion matrix. In the dither method, the threshold value set in the dither matrix and the gradation value of the image data are compared for each pixel, and it is determined that a dot is formed in a pixel having a larger image data. This is a method of determining whether or not dots are formed for each pixel by determining that a dot is not formed for a larger pixel. In the printing process of this embodiment, any method can be used, but here, halftone processing is performed using a method called a dither method.

  FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an enlarged part of a general dither matrix referred to in the dither method. In the illustrated matrix, threshold values that are uniformly selected from the range of gradation values 0 to 255 are set for a total of 4096 pixels, 64 pixels each in the vertical and horizontal directions. Here, the threshold gradation value is selected from the range of 0 to 255. In this embodiment, the image data is 1-byte data, and the gradation value set for the pixel is a value of 0 to 255. It corresponds to what can be taken. Note that the size of the dither matrix is not limited to 64 pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions as illustrated in FIG. 27, and can be various sizes including those having different numbers of vertical and horizontal pixels.

  FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a state in which the presence / absence of dot formation is determined for each pixel while referring to the dither matrix. When determining the presence or absence of dot formation, first, the gradation value of the image data for the pixel of interest (the pixel of interest) as the object of determination is compared with the threshold value stored at the corresponding position in the dither matrix. . The thin broken arrow shown in the figure schematically represents that the gradation value of the pixel of interest is compared with the threshold value stored at the corresponding position in the dither matrix. When the gradation value of the pixel of interest is larger than the threshold value of the dither matrix, it is determined that a dot is formed on that pixel. On the other hand, when the threshold value of the dither matrix is larger, it is determined that no dot is formed in the pixel.

  In the example shown in FIG. 28, the image data of the pixel in the upper left corner of the image data has a gradation value of 180, and the threshold value stored at the position corresponding to this pixel on the dither matrix is 1. Therefore, for the pixel in the upper left corner, the gradation value 180 of the image data is larger than the threshold value 1 of the dither matrix, and therefore it is determined that a dot is formed on this pixel. An arrow indicated by a solid line in FIG. 28 schematically shows a state in which it is determined that a dot is to be formed in this pixel and the determination result is written in the memory. On the other hand, for the pixel on the right side of this pixel, the gradation value of the image data is 130, and the threshold value of the dither matrix is 177. Since the threshold value is larger, it is determined that no dot is formed for this pixel. In the dither method, dots are generated while referring to the dither matrix. In step S306 of the printing process shown in FIG. 25, processing for determining the presence or absence of dot formation is performed as described above for each gradation value of each color of C, M, Y, and K converted by the color conversion process.

  When the halftone process ends as described above, the CPU of the color printer 200 starts the interlace process (step S308). The interlacing process is a process of rearranging the image data converted into the expression format depending on whether or not dots are formed in consideration of the order in which the color printer 200 actually forms dots on the printing paper.

  After performing the interlace processing in this way, an image is printed by forming dots on the printing paper according to the obtained data. That is, as described above with reference to FIG. 2, the carriage motor 230 and the paper feed motor 235 are driven to perform the main scanning and the sub-scanning of the carriage 240, and the print head 241 is driven in accordance with these movements to perform the ink. Ink dots are formed by discharging droplets. As a result, a print image of the same scene as that displayed on the screen of the monitor 150 can be obtained.

  As described above, in the game machine 100 of this embodiment, when printing the screen displayed on the monitor 150, the polygon data (display polygon data) of the rough polygon used for displaying the screen is printed. Precise polygon data is generated by replacing the polygon data (printing polygon data) with fine polygons used in the above. An image is printed by generating print data based on the precision polygon data. For this reason, in the printed image, since the object is formed by small polygons, the surface is not rugged, and an image as if the real target was photographed can be obtained. .

  Of course, the printing polygon data is composed of fine polygons, so the number of polygons is larger than the display polygon data. Therefore, when the display polygon data is replaced with the printing polygon data, one image is formed. The number of polygons to increase increases. When the number of polygons increases, it becomes difficult to execute drawing processing on all polygon data at once because of the limitation of the memory capacity installed in the game machine 100. In particular, when so-called large format printing with a paper size of A3 or larger is used, finer polygons are often used to maintain the image quality, and the number of polygons increases accordingly, and this tendency becomes remarkable. However, in the game machine 100 according to the present embodiment, polygon data is read by a predetermined number of polygons and a drawing process is executed, and each time image data developed on the frame buffer 114 is supplied to the color printer 200 as print data. Is possible. For this reason, even when large-format printing is performed, it is possible to print an image without being restricted by the memory capacity installed.

  Various modifications exist in the game machine 100 of the first embodiment described above. Hereinafter, these modified examples will be briefly described.

C-4. First modification:
In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that in the print data output process, the precision polygon data is read by a predetermined number of polygons, the drawing process is executed, and the obtained image data is output as print data. In this way, even when the memory capacity of the frame buffer 114 is not sufficient, it is possible to execute the drawing process within the range of the memory capacity and output the print data. However, instead of fixing the number of polygons to be read to a predetermined number, polygons may be read and drawing processing performed until the amount of data developed in the frame buffer 114 reaches a predetermined amount.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the flow of the print data output process of the first modified example. In this process, the polygon data is read and drawn for each polygon until the amount of data developed in the frame buffer 114 reaches an allowable value with respect to the print data output process of the first embodiment described above with reference to FIG. The point of processing is very different. Hereinafter, the print data output process of the first modification will be described focusing on the difference.

  When the print data output process of the first modification is started, first, a process of reading precision polygon data from the main memory 110 is performed (step S250). In the print data output process of the first embodiment described above, polygon data is read by a predetermined number of polygons. In the first modification, polygon data is read by one polygon.

  Next, a drawing process is performed on the read polygon data (step S252). As a result, the read image data for one polygon is developed on the frame buffer 114.

  If the polygon data is expanded in this way, it is determined whether or not the data expanded on the frame buffer 114 has reached a predetermined allowable value (step S254). The allowable value is set to a value having a certain margin with respect to the memory capacity of the frame buffer 114 (for example, a value about 90% of the memory capacity). If the developed image data does not reach the allowable value in the memory (step S254: no), it is determined that new polygon data can be developed, and another polygon data from the precision polygon data is determined. (Step S250), the image data is developed by performing drawing processing on the read data (step S252), and then it is determined whether or not the developed data has reached the allowable value of the memory (step S254). . Such operations are repeated, and when it is determined that the data developed on the frame buffer 114 has reached an allowable value (step S254: yes), the developed image data is read out in raster units and output as print data (step S256). . Since this process is the same as the print data output process of the first embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 20 and 22, the description thereof is omitted here.

  When the raster unit image data is output as print data as described above, it is determined whether or not the processing has been completed for all polygons of the precision polygon data subjected to the rendering process (step S258). If polygons that have not yet been processed remain (step S258: no), the process returns to step S250, and data for one new polygon is newly obtained from the precision polygon data stored in the main memory 110. After reading, the above-described series of processing is repeated. If it is finally determined that the processing for all the polygons has been completed (step S258: yes), the print data output processing of the first modification shown in FIG. 29 is terminated, and the processing shown in FIG. Return to the image printing process.

  In the print data output process of the first modification described above, print data can always be output by efficiently using the memory capacity of the frame buffer 114 regardless of the size of the read polygon. For this reason, it is possible to perform the print data output process quickly, and thus it is possible to print the image quickly.

C-5. Second modification:
In the print data output process of the first embodiment described above, when image data is developed on the frame buffer 114, an outputable raster is detected and output as print data. In the next processing, a new raster is detected from the image data newly developed on the frame buffer 114 and output as print data. Therefore, every time new image data is developed on the frame buffer 114, new print data is output in order without duplication. On the other hand, every time image data is expanded and print data is output on the frame buffer 114, a part of the print data expanded and output last time may be overlapped and output.

  FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a state in which print data is overlapped and output in the print data output process of the second modified example. The hatched area in the figure indicates an area where image data is expanded on the frame buffer 114. In FIG. 30, there are areas with various hatchings from coarse hatching to fine hatching, but all these areas are developed areas of image data.

  When outputting print data, image data is read out from such an area in units of rasters and output as print data. In the area with fine hatching and the area with intermediate hatching in the figure, image data can be read out in raster units, and the image data in these areas is output as print data.

  Here, in the print data output process of the second modified example, the data is discarded even after the print data is output in the latter half of the area output as print data (the area shown in FIG. 30 with fine hatching). Remember without having to. Next, the polygon data is read and expanded on the frame buffer 114, and the new print data is output to the color printer 200 before the new print data is output. Is output. Eventually, print data is output twice for this portion.

  In this way, at the joint portion of the image data that is read and developed each time, if the print data is output to the color printer 200 in duplicate, the print image quality at the joint portion even if the print data is received in a divided state. Can be avoided.

D. Second embodiment:
In the image printing process of the first embodiment described above, printing polygon data composed of fine polygons is stored in advance, and when printing an image, the display polygon data is replaced with printing polygon data. After generating the precise polygon data, each object including the obtained accurate polygon data was subjected to a series of processing such as rendering processing and drawing processing to print an image. However, printing polygon data may not be prepared in advance, but printing polygon data may be generated from display polygon data, and a series of processing including rendering processing may be performed on this data. . Hereinafter, the image printing process of the second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the flow of the image printing process of the second embodiment. This process is greatly different from the image printing process of the first embodiment described above in that printing polygon data composed of fine polygons is generated from display polygon data. This process is substantially the same as the process of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the image printing process of the second embodiment will be described focusing on such differences.

  Also in the image printing process of the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment described above, the CPU 101 of the game machine 100 generates an interrupt when detecting that a predetermined print button provided on the controller 102 is pressed. The image printing process is started. First, the original polygon data (display polygon data) of the image displayed on the monitor 150 when the print button of the controller 102 is pressed is acquired (step S400).

  Next, image capturing conditions and printing conditions are set (steps S402 and S404). The shooting conditions are set for the focal length, the focal position, the aperture, and the like while viewing the screen (see FIG. 16) displayed on the monitor 150. The print conditions are set for the paper size, paper type, print mode, and the like while viewing the screen (see FIG. 17) displayed on the monitor 150.

  Subsequently, for each object displayed on the monitor 150, it is determined whether or not to divide the polygon constituting the object (step S406). Whether to divide the polygon is determined according to the combination of “paper size” and “print mode” set in the print condition setting process. For example, when the print mode is set to “fast” and the paper size is “normal photo” or “photo L”, polygon division is not performed. This is because when the print mode is set to “fast” and so-called large format printing is not performed, the print image quality is not so high and the print image is small, so the display polygon data remains as it is (that is, the rough polygon remains as it is). This is because the polygon does not stand out even when the image is printed. On the other hand, if the print mode is set to "Premium" or so-called large format printing is performed with the A4 size or larger, the polygon is divided so that the polygon does not stand out and deteriorate the image quality. Judging what to do.

  Next, for the polygon determined to be divided, a process for generating printing polygon data from the display polygon data is performed by dividing the polygon (step S408).

  FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a state in which polygons are divided. Three triangles indicated by thick solid lines in the figure represent polygons before being divided. When dividing these polygons, each polygon is divided into four small polygons by connecting the midpoints of the sides constituting the polygon. The polygon of the triangle ABC shown in FIG. 32 will be described. By connecting the midpoint ab of the side AB, the midpoint bc of the side BC, and the midpoint ac of the side AC, the triangle ABC can be reduced to four smaller triangles. Can be divided into Similarly, for the adjacent polygon BCD, the triangle BCD can be divided into four triangles by connecting the midpoint bc of the side BC, the midpoint cd of the side CD, and the midpoint bd of the side BD. . In the level 2 division, by repeating such an operation for all the polygons constituting the object, each polygon is divided into four small polygons. In step S408 in the image printing process of the second embodiment, a process of dividing the polygon determined to be divided into four polygons in this way is performed.

  Further, the texture number of the small polygon generated by dividing in this way is determined based on the texture number of the original polygon and the texture number of the adjacent polygon. For example, description will be made using a polygon of a triangle BCD shown in FIG. For the small polygon c1 generated in the center, the texture number of the original polygon is assigned as it is. On the other hand, for a small polygon c2 sandwiched between two adjacent polygons (triangle ABC, triangle CDE), an intermediate texture between the texture of the two adjacent polygons and the texture of the original polygon (triangle BCD). Set the texture number. Similarly, for the small polygon c3 generated by division, a texture number that is an intermediate texture between the adjacent polygon (triangle ABC) and the original polygon (triangle BCD) may be set. As described above, the polygon is divided into small polygons, the vertexes of the polygons generated by the division are detected, and if the texture number of each polygon is set, the polygon is divided into smaller polygons from normal polygon data. Generated polygon data can be generated.

  Here, only the method of dividing one polygon into four as described in FIG. 32 has been described as the polygon dividing method. However, the polygon is divided into more polygons or less polygons. It's also good.

  FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram illustrating different polygon division methods. Similar to the case shown in FIG. 32, the three triangles shown by thick solid lines in the figure represent the polygons before being divided. In the dividing method shown in FIG. 33, one polygon is divided into six small polygons by connecting the vertexes of the polygons and the midpoints of the opposite sides (opposite sides). The polygon of the triangle ABC shown in FIG. 33 will be described. The vertex A is connected to the midpoint bc of the opposite side BC, the vertex B is connected to the midpoint ac of the opposite side AC, and the vertex C is set to the midpoint of the opposite side AB. The triangle ABC is divided by connecting ab. Since the straight line connecting the vertex and the midpoint of the opposite side intersects at the center of gravity of the triangle, if the triangle polygon is divided in this way, it can be divided into six small polygons. The polygon may be divided by selecting an appropriate method according to printing conditions, such as when the size of the printing paper is large.

  When the polygon is divided as described above, the display polygon data is converted into printing polygon data, and as a result, precise polygon data is obtained. After the precision polygon data is generated in this way, the image is printed in the same manner as the image printing process of the first embodiment described above. A brief description is given below.

  First, a rendering process is performed on the generated precision polygon data (step S410). As described above with reference to FIG. 11, the rendering process is a process for generating two-dimensional image data from polygon data of each object. The data of the two-dimensional image obtained by the rendering process is expressed by the two-dimensional coordinates of the vertices obtained by projecting the vertices constituting the polygon onto the projection surface, and the texture number to be assigned to the projected polygon. The main memory 110 stores data in such a format.

  Subsequent to the rendering process, a print data output process is performed, whereby the image data developed on the frame buffer 114 is read in units of rasters, and is output as print data to the color printer 200 (step S200). Since this process is exactly the same as the print data output process in the first embodiment described above, a description thereof is omitted here.

  Also in the image printing process of the second embodiment, when returning from the print data output process, a game return process is performed (step S412). That is, since the image printing process of the second embodiment is also started by temporarily interrupting the ongoing game, the program counter and various data are restored to the state before the game interruption before ending the image printing process. Then, prepare to resume the game. When the game return process is finished, the image printing process of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 31 is finished.

  In the image printing process of the second embodiment described above, when printing the image displayed on the monitor 150, the polygons constituting the object are divided into fine polygons according to the printing conditions to generate precise polygon data. To do. Since the image is printed based on the obtained precision polygon data, it is possible to print a high-quality image in which the polygon is not conspicuous. Of course, simply dividing a polygon into fine polygons does not improve the accuracy of object shape representation, but if you divide into small polygons in this way, you can give each polygon an appropriate texture. Thus, the rugged impression of the object surface can be greatly relieved. For this reason, even when an image is output from the color printer 200, it is possible to obtain a printed image as if a real object was photographed.

  In the image printing process of the second embodiment, since polygon data for printing is generated by dividing each polygon from the acquired polygon data, the acquisition is performed as in the image printing process of the first embodiment described above. The processing for aligning the polygon data and the printing polygon data using the reference point is unnecessary, and even when the game machine 100 having a relatively small memory capacity and processing capability is used, an image can be printed quickly. It becomes possible.

  If polygons are divided into fine polygons, the total number of polygons increases, making it difficult to expand all polygon data onto the frame buffer 114 at once. However, the print data output of the second embodiment described above is difficult. Also in the processing, polygon data is read by a predetermined number of polygons (or by the number of polygons where the developed image data becomes a predetermined number), and a drawing process is executed. Then, the image data developed on the frame buffer 114 is sequentially supplied to the color printer 200 as print data. For this reason, even when large-format printing is performed, it is possible to print an image without being restricted by the installed memory capacity.

  Although various embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to all the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention.

  For example, in the various embodiments described above, when printing the screen displayed on the monitor 150, if image data based on fine polygons for printing an image is generated, this image data is used only for generating print data. It was described as being used in However, an image may be displayed on the monitor 150 using the generated image data. For example, the generation of print data may be started and image data generated based on fine polygons may be displayed on the screen of the monitor 150. The image data generated for printing can display a higher quality image than the image data generated for display on the monitor 150. In addition, various processes are performed in consideration of shooting conditions and the like. Image data. Therefore, if image data based on these fine polygons is displayed on the monitor 150 during the generation of print data, such an effect can be confirmed on the monitor 150 as well.

  Alternatively, image data based on fine polygons may be displayed on the screen of the monitor 150 before starting generation of print data. In this way, various setting items such as shooting conditions can be set while confirming the effect using image data based on fine polygons, so that more appropriate settings can be made.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the game machine provided with the image data generation apparatus of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the color printer connected to the game machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the arrangement | sequence of the inkjet nozzle of an ink discharge head. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated a mode that the screen in a game is displayed on the monitor. It is explanatory drawing which showed the area | region where the two-dimensional image is inserted and displayed on the screen of a monitor. It is a perspective view which shows the shape of the flying boat which is a main character. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the mode that the shape of the flying boat of the main character was expressed by the polygon. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the object table used in order to manage the polygon data of an object. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of polygon data. It is the flowchart which showed the outline | summary of the process which displays the screen in a game on a monitor. It is explanatory drawing which showed the outline | summary of the rendering process. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the conversion type | formula which projects the vertex coordinate of the polygon which comprises an object on the coordinate point of a two-dimensional plane. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the projection image produced | generated by the rendering process. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the data structure of the drawing command which CPU outputs to GPU. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the image printing process performed with the game machine of 1st Example. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the screen for setting the imaging condition of an image. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the screen for setting the printing conditions of an image. It is explanatory drawing which represented notably the mode that the three-dimensional shape of the flying boat which is a main character was expressed using the small polygon. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the table referred in order to determine the presence or absence of the polygon data for printing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of print data output processing. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the data of a predetermined number of polygon are read from precision polygon data. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the image data on a frame buffer are output per raster. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the data of the new polygon were read from the main memory. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the data of the further new polygon were read from the main memory. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a printing process performed by a color printer for printing an image. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the LUT referred for a color conversion process. It is explanatory drawing which expanded and illustrated a part of common dither matrix referred by the dither method. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the mode that the presence or absence of dot formation was judged for every pixel, referring a dither matrix. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the print data output process of a 1st modification. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the mode that print data was overlapped and output in the print data output process of a 2nd modification. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the image printing process of 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the mode that the polygon is divided | segmented. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the dividing method from which a polygon differs.

Explanation of symbols

100: Game machine 101: CPU 110: Main memory
112 ... GTE, 114 ... Frame buffer, 116 ... GPU,
150 ... monitor, 200 ... color printer, 500 ... game machine

Claims (4)

Monitor display polygon data acquisition means for acquiring monitor display polygon data representing the shape of the object with reference to the object table;
With reference to the printing polygon data table, printing polygon data acquisition means for acquiring printing polygon data corresponding to the object;
Output means for outputting the printing polygon data;
With
In the object table, an object number for identifying each object, a start address of a memory storing polygon data indicating the shape of each object, and the number of polygons constituting each object are set.
The printing polygon data table is a table in which presence / absence of the printing polygon data is set in advance, and indicates an object number for identifying the object in which the printing polygon data exists, and a shape of the object. The start address of the memory storing the polygon data and the number of polygons constituting the object are set. In the print polygon data table , the same start address and polygon are used for different object numbers. Number is set,
An output device characterized by that. The output device further includes:
A means for acquiring printing conditions;
The polygon size of the printing polygon data is determined according to the acquired printing conditions.
The output device according to claim 1. A step of obtaining monitor display polygon data representing the shape of the object by referring to the object table;
The printing polygon data acquisition means refers to the printing polygon data table and acquires the printing polygon data corresponding to the object;
An output means for outputting the printing polygon data;
With
In the object table, an object number for identifying each object, a start address of a memory storing polygon data indicating the shape of each object, and the number of polygons constituting each object are set.
The printing polygon data table is a table in which presence / absence of the printing polygon data is set in advance, and indicates an object number for identifying the object in which the printing polygon data exists, and a shape of the object. The start address of the memory storing the polygon data and the number of polygons constituting the object are set. In the print polygon data table , the same start address and polygon are used for different object numbers. Number is set,
An output method characterized by that. A process of acquiring polygon data for monitor display representing a shape of an object by referring to an object table, and a polygon data acquisition unit for printing;
The printing polygon data acquisition means refers to the printing polygon data table and acquires the printing polygon data corresponding to the object;
An output means for outputting the printing polygon data;
To the computer,
In the object table, an object number for identifying each object, a start address of a memory storing polygon data indicating the shape of each object, and the number of polygons constituting each object are set.
The printing polygon data table is a table in which presence / absence of the printing polygon data is set in advance, and indicates an object number for identifying the object in which the printing polygon data exists, and a shape of the object. The start address of the memory storing the polygon data and the number of polygons constituting the object are set. In the print polygon data table , the same start address and polygon are used for different object numbers. Number is set,
A computer program characterized by the above.

Images